Team selection disection

[LP]

I'm still gobsmacked that my idea hasn't been tried even once. We've been in the bottom rungs of the ladder for ages. It's not as if we're putting a flag tilt in jeopardy.

Actually they sort of tried it years ago, they did at one stage have Hampson rucking and Kreuzer in the center at the same time. They also went through a period were those two would rove to each other inside F50, I saw it as an attempt by Ratten to clear some space for the likes of Betts, Garlett and Murphy.

[PaulP]

How long does it take Kreuzer, and any ruckman, to get the ball to their boot? Its a long way down there.
What about if the ball is on the ground? Thats an even longer way down there.

He's a big body, a slow moving body by comparison.

Those few seconds extracting himself from a ruckman is no difference from extracting yourself from a tagger. In fact, its easier given he is given a clear path to the ball, no blocking of ruckmen allowed, and he'd have the first idea on where the ball would be going from the hitout too.

That's fair enough, but don't forget, he's only a few cms taller and a few kgs heavier than Cripps, so he wouldn't be holding proceedings up too much in comparison.

[PaulP]

Actually they sort of tried it years ago, they did at one stage have Hampson rucking and Kreuzer in the center at the same time. They also went through a period were those two would rove to each other inside F50, I saw it as an attempt by Ratten to clear some space for the likes of Betts, Garlett and Murphy.

I only have a vague recollection of those setups.

[Thryleon]

Pickett out for three months.  Broken scaphoid.  Get well soon.

[Professer E]

Kreuzer was as good a clearance player as we had last year, and often more effective after the tap then at the actual ruck contest.  Yep, I'd play him as a ruck follower (and have suggested this for a while) for sure but have concerns with burning him out during games, although, to be said he is an elite endurance athlete.

I'd rather play him this role then slot him forwards as a defacto marking forward - he's a trier in that regard but lacks the speed and nous to be a consistent multiple goal kicker.  That's a specialist job and too much a role  to ask for any one player.

[cookie2]

That's fair enough, but don't forget, he's only a few cms taller and a few kgs heavier than Cripps, so he wouldn't be holding proceedings up too much in comparison.

Now you mention it, Cripps always looks a bit slow to me and it's amazing that despite that he does seem to have the time to execute. Maybe I've internalised a concern about his seeming "lumbering" but I always get a bit of heart in mouth when he has the ball, especially if he decides to run with it.

[PaulP]

Now you mention it, Cripps always looks a bit slow to me and it's amazing that despite that he does seem to have the time to execute. Maybe I've internalised a concern about his seeming "lumbering" but I always get a bit of heart in mouth when he has the ball, especially if he decides to run with it.

Yes, Cripps either disposes of the footy asap, or he uses his strength and size to bullock his way through players. Trying to outrun the opposition won't end well. Ditto the Cruiser.

[Thryleon]

Ive watched Cripps.

Its like time moves slowly around him.

I don't think he moves slowly.  It just looks like he has plenty of time most of the time.

Ive only witnessed a few players who just seemed to be "motionless" and all of them have been able to manufacture both time and space somehow around themselves and most of them are absolute guns at the sports they play.

Its a universal quality.  Ive noticed it on the greats.  Diesel Williams had that ability.  Maradonna had that ability.  Cripps has that ability.

He's a gem.  I didn't put him in the first group of my tiers, not because he isn't worthy (there were a few that should be walk up starts) but more to do with the fact that the bloke has ten years of footy ahead of him, and is part of a younger group that isnt expected to perform week in and week out for 4 quarters even though he probably will.

[LP]

Ive watched Cripps.

Its like time moves slowly around him.

I don't think he moves slowly.  It just looks like he has plenty of time most of the time.

Ive only witnessed a few players who just seemed to be "motionless" and all of them have been able to manufacture both time and space somehow around themselves and most of them are absolute guns at the sports they play.

Its a universal quality.  Ive noticed it on the greats.  Diesel Williams had that ability.  Maradonna had that ability.  Cripps has that ability.

He's a gem.  I didn't put him in the first group of my tiers, not because he isn't worthy (there were a few that should be walk up starts) but more to do with the fact that the bloke has ten years of footy ahead of him, and is part of a younger group that isnt expected to perform week in and week out for 4 quarters even though he probably will.

They make time because opponents are wary of going too early, Cripps is too good at getting a handball away while under pressure which leaves his opponent holding him as the ball leaves the are, the opponents are left looking like a goose.

All the good players have that knack, Judd was the same, Kreuzer can also do it. That ability to squeeze the footy out of the traffic to a team-mate without telegraphing that intent to an opponent. SPS and Curnow also have it, Kennedy shows signs as well.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Yes, Cripps either disposes of the footy asap, or he uses his strength and size to bullock his way through players. Trying to outrun the opposition won't end well. Ditto the Cruiser.

Got a nice long stride has Cripps and a good look away move, bit like Pendlebury who is slow but has the long stride and basketball hesitation/ head fake moves and being a leftie has most players going the wrong way..